Device and method for setting network and channel information in a network device

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods use an Extended Permanent Account Number Identification (EPID) of a mesh network (e.g., ZigBee) to include in the EPID a network information, a network channel information (e.g., 802.15.4 channel), and/or other data. The devices and methods allows a node to use the EPID to identify a desired network to join and join the network on the predetermined channel for that network.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to devices and methods for setting anetwork information and a network channel information within an ExtendedPermanent Account Number Identification (Extended PAN ID or EPID) of amesh network (e.g., ZigBee) allowing a node to identify a desirednetwork to join and join the network on the correct channel.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a node in a ZigBee network sends a beacon packet thatincludes the EPID. The EPID of the ZigBee network is a 64-bit value thatcan uniquely identify a particular network. An Organizationally UniqueIdentifier (OUI) is a 24-bit number which uniquely identifies a vendor,manufacturer, or other organization and reserves a block of derivativeidentifiers.

SUMMARY

The embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards a device andmethod for setting a network information, a network channel information(e.g., 802.15.4 channel), and/or other data within an EPID of a meshnetwork, allowing a node to identify a desired network to join and jointhe network on the predetermined channel for that network. The node canstore the EPID in a non-transitory memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to drawings, in which like reference numbers representcorresponding or similar parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an EPID that can be stored in anon-transitory memory.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a network device having an EPID thatis stored as a computer readable format in a non-transitory memory ofthe network device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is directed towards a device and method for setting anetwork information, a network channel information (e.g., 802.15.4channel), and/or other data within an EPID of a mesh network (e.g.,ZigBee). The method allows a node to identify a desired network to joinand/or join the network on a predetermined channel for that network.

A mesh network is a type of networking, usually wirelessly, of two ormore nodes, where each node receives and transmits data, and also servesas a relay for other nodes. In the mesh network, the nodes collaborateto propagate the data in the network. ZigBee is an example of the meshnetwork. ZigBee is a specification for communication protocols usingsmall, low-power digital radio devices based on an IEEE 802 standard forpersonal area networks (PAN). An example of the low-power digital radiodevices includes a Wireless Communication Interface (WCI).

The EPID includes a unique identifier of a network. A device creating aZigBee network can specify the EPID for the network. OUI can be in thefirst 24 bits of the EPID so that devices of different organizations canform unique networks with distinct EPIDs. The OUI can be the first 24bits of the ZigBee MAC address, which is unique among IEEE 801.15.4devices, so an organization can decide to set the EPID of a network tothe MAC address of the device creating the network.

The EPID is included in the beacon packet sent by devices in a networkin response to a beacon request. The method disclosed herein uses thebeacon packet to transmit and/or receive extra information about thenetwork from the EPID. The EPID can have multiple types of information,such as, a channel (frequency band) of the network the device shoulduse. A conventional method merely assumes that the network channel isthe frequency of the beacon and/or beacon response that the device hasdetected. Thus, the conventional method can lead to the devices in thesame network using different (or multiple) channels due to variouserrors.

The EPID can include a network identification that can be preset on thedevice (e.g., using rotary dials) so that the device can instantly jointhe network as soon as it is powered up. The embodiment allows forsetting network devices to join multiple networks forming at the sametime.

References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a parthereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration of the embodimentsin which the methods and devices described herein may be practiced.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an EPID 100 that can be stored in anon-transitory memory. The EPID 100 can be a 64-bit value format (e.g.,bit 0-63) that can be stored in the non-transitory memory. The firstsection (section 1, e.g., bit 40-63) of the EPID 100 can be set to theOUI so that the EPID 100 will be unique from other EPIDs from otherorganizations. Only networks with an expected OUI in the section 1 arerecognized as containing extra information (e.g., network information,channel, etc.) in other sections of the EPID 100. Sections of the EPID100 that are not identified in FIG. 1 (e.g., bit 10-11 and/or 24-39) canbe used similarly to distinguish among sub-organizations or productfamilies within one OUI. Further, the sections of the EPID 100 that arenot identified in FIG. 1 (e.g., bit 10-11 and/or 24-39) can includepresence information and/or other data.

Examples of the other data in the EPID 100 include regional information(e.g., regions such as Europe, North America, China, Japan, etc.). Theregional information can include regional power limitations for thedevice. Examples of the other data in the EPID 100 include regionalinformation and data associated with the regional information (e.g.,regional power limitations limiting the maximum power that may be usedin 2.4 GHz ISM band, etc.). Such regional information (along withassociated data) may be used for setting up a network in a particularregion(s) so that the devices can automatically determine theappropriate power settings based on the region announced via the EPID100. For example, bit 11 of the EPID 100 can be used to set a regioninformation (e.g., 0 being North America and 1 being Europe, or viceversa). Accordingly, if the bit is set (e.g., set to 1), the deviceshaving the EPID 100 can join a network and can set its transmissionpower according to the region designated by bit 11 (e.g., set powerlimit to European standard, such as for example, channels 11-26 beingused up to 10 milliwatts). If the bit is not set (e.g., set to 0), thenthe device having the EPID 100 does not alter its power limit from itsstandard default setting (e.g., North America standard, for example, setby the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), such as for example,channels 11-23 being used up to 100 milliwatts and/or higher channelsusing 1 milliwatts). Alternatively, the bit being set to 0 can be adifferent region from North America.

Other examples of the other data in the EPID 100 include power-limitinformation for the device (e.g., maximum power that may be used in 2.4GHz ISM band, etc.) without the region identifying information.

The second section (section 2, e.g., bit 16-23) of EPID 100 can store anumber common to the devices that are intended to operate in thenetwork. The number can be set in various ways, such as through adisplay on a device, by a tool communicating to the device, or byswitches on a device. For example, two decimal rotary switches on thedevice can set a number in the range 0 to 99, which can be storeddirectly in the space of section 2. To join a particular network, thedevice can request beacons on each allowed channel until the devicereceives a beacon that permits association therewith. That is, thebeacon contains a network number in the second section 2 (bit 16-23)that matches (i.e., is same as) the network number in the beaconrequesting device.

Section 3 (e.g., bit 12-15) of EPID 100 can store the channelinformation of the network. The network remains on this channel untilthe network is disbanded. The network can be recreated using the samechannel or another channel. When the network is recreated, the channelcan be advertised in the EPID 100. For a ZigBee device that uses sixteenchannels in the 2.4 GHz band, the four bits in section 3 are sufficientto store numbers 0 through 15 corresponding to the channel numbers 11through 26. Accordingly, a device joining a network that includes thechannel number in the EPID 100 can reliably determine the correctchannel even if there is cross-talk between channels.

Section 4 (e.g., bit 0-9) of EPID 100 can store, for example, a valuethat identifies a device that created the network (the first devicehaving the network information and the channel information). Even ifthis section 4 is not used for other devices that automatically joinedthe network, this information can be useful for displaying to a personor diagnostic tool that can use the value to locate or establish anothercommunication method with the device that created the network.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a network device 200 having anon-transitory memory 300 which stores an EPID 100 in a computerreadable format. The EPID 100 is a 64-bit value format that is stored inthe non-transitory memory 300 for being read by a processor 400 totransmit information from the network device 200 (e.g., WCI) to anotherdevice (e.g., WCI) in a network (e.g., ZigBee). The EPID 100 shown inFIG. 2 can have the same format as the EPID 100 shown in FIG. 1 anddescribed above.

Some of the advantages of the embodiments disclosed herein are asfollows. One common methodology for connecting to a network is a networkwhich permits a device to connect to it when the device looks for anetwork to join. In contrast, the embodiments using the EPID 100disclosed herein can allow multiple networks to be constructed at onceby devices using the embodiments. Thus, the devices can join theirappropriate network without needing to try to join just any open (oravailable, detected, etc.) network.

Another common methodology for connecting to a network is by pairing ofdevices by interacting (e.g., powering up) of two or more devices withina certain amount of time. That is, if the user does not interact withthe devices within the certain amount of time, the devices cannot formthe network. In contrast, the embodiments using the EPID 100 disclosedherein do not require timely user interaction with devices. A networkcan be formed first or form upon powering up of the device(s). That is,the device(s) can join the network when the network becomes available,even if the device(s) have been powered on for a long time.

Another common methodology for connecting to a network involves usingdifferent networks wherein some of the networks are specially configuredfor commissioning. A new device must first join the commissioningnetwork and then some tool communicates to the device and switches thedevice (e.g., configures the device) and joins the device to theappropriate network. In contrast, the embodiments using the EPID 100disclosed herein do not require a special commissioning network.

With regard to the foregoing description, it is to be understood thatchanges may be made in detail without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. It is intended that the specification and depictedembodiment to be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spiritof the invention being indicated by the broad meaning of the claims.

1-24. (canceled)
 25. A method for storing information to an Extended Permanent Account Number Identification (EPID) data for a network device, the method comprising: prior to powering up a computer readable memory of the network device, presetting an identifier information for the network device the by using a hardware component that is connected to the computer readable memory; and upon powering up the computer readable memory, storing to the computer readable memory the EPID data, wherein the EPID data includes the identifier information, the identifier information includes one or more of a unique network identifier of a network for the network device to join, a channel identifier of a network for the network device to join, and a unique device information for the network device.
 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the identifier information includes the unique device information.
 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the unique device information includes a power-limit information for operation of the network device. 